8 Meditation Secrets for Lasting Peace and Happiness

When we hear the meditation,we think it as some sort of practice or routine. For a novice, it is a matter of regular practice which has scientifically proven so many benefits. Over time, as we go deeper into its understanding, meditation becomes something we live, we realize that meditation is our nature, and not just something we practice. I take this opportunity to share 8 meditation insights which completely changed my understanding of meditation.

1. We are all born Yogis!

Have you observed small children? They are super flexible and do all the yoga postures easily. They are always smiling, bubbling with enthusiasm, joy and happiness. They are always in the present moment; before their tears dry, they start laughing! Their mind is non-cluttered and they live every moment 100%! This is how you and I were when we were a child. We all are borne with yogis body, mind and spirit! In the process of growing up, as stresses and turmoil start affecting us, our true nature gets covered. Purpose of our practice is to go back to our natural disposition.

2. Shifting gears from I want to I have!

We meditate because we want peace of mind. But what if we already have it? Just as our body is made up of different bones, muscles, organs, blood vessels, nerves, etc. our spirit is made up of love, joy, peace, bliss, happiness. Satchiddananda Sat (true), Chit (consciousness), Ananda (pure bliss) meaning bliss is the true nature of our consciousness. When we meditate, it is not that from somewhere outside, we are going to bring peace and bliss and put them inside us. When we realize that we are that, we already have them inside us, we stop seeking it, wanting it, searching it. The starting point of our practice changes from wanting to already having or being. Seeking stops and experiencing begins!

3. It is very easy and natural to meditate!

Many think meditation is very difficult and challenging! In fact it is very easy and natural for us to meditate. Just as our fingers fold and unfold easily and naturally, that easily mind meditates. Simply sitting with eyes closed and taking our attention inward for a few minutes will lead us back to our nature.

4. Our Mind is like sky and thoughts are like clouds!

We have so many thoughts in a day, but how many of them we really remember? In most cases, we dont even remember what we were thinking 5-10 minutes ago! Thoughts are transient in nature, temporary, and like clouds in the sky they just move on. When we sit to meditate, some thoughts may keep moving in our mind, let them. Meditation is not about controlling the mind or focusing or concentrating on something or resisting your thoughts or emotions or sensations. It is the opposite de-focusing or de-concentrating, accepting the present moment as it is and relaxing into our being!

5. You dont have to do meditation, meditation happens!

Meditation is the delicate art of doing nothing. When I sit to meditate, I sit with this background in my mind - I am nothing! I do nothing! I want nothing! For the time being, I just sit with my eyes closed dropping all my limited identities and roles that I play, become nothing. I stop all my deliberate physical, mental, emotional, intellectual and spiritual activities and do nothing and just relax into my being wanting or expecting nothing, not even peace of mind!!! Letting go the desire to resist or control anything being open to any kind of experience with the faith that whatever experience is being offered is right for me for that moment. When we get into this mode of nothingness and openness, meditation starts happening.

6. Breath is our best friend in good as well as bad times.

Our breath has important lessons for us. For every emotion in the mind, there is corresponding rhythm in the breath, and vice versa the way we breathe can change or influence how we feel. It is so difficult to handle our mind directly, but with breath we can handle it easily. Many a times we must have told our angry or nervous or agitated friend to take a couple of deep breaths to relax and calm down. Taking a few slow gentle breaths, or Alternate Nostril Breathing helps calm the mind. The rhythm in the breath can help get in touch with depth of our self, our soul, and our consciousness.

7. Brushing the teeth is dental hygiene, meditation is mental hygiene!

Brushing the teeth everyday morning though mundane but is an important activity, we dont even like to skip it for a single day. It is the way all of us clear of all the dirt from the teeth, to keep them clean and shiny to maintain our oral hygiene. Likewise meditation clears of all the dirt / impressions from the mind and maintains mental hygiene. Do you analyze the dirt that comes out after brushing? No, isnt it? We just open the tap and flush it off. Same way, we dont analyze any experience of meditation. The release of dirt/impressions can happen in so many ways, we may fail to anayze it with our limited logic.

8. Connect your practice to a higher purpose.

When you meditate, not only you but people in your surroundings also have the benefit. You start sending positive and peaceful vibes in your environment. By you being peaceful, you make the world more peaceful. Inner peace and outer peace are strongly connected. I even regularly meditate in larger groups. When you practice with big groups with some common intent, you help in manifesting the intent! I am going to meditate during the World Cultural Festival, 11-13 March in New Delhi-India, with about 3.5 million people from 155 countries for World Peace. If you wish to join, click here.

Lets enjoy this beautiful practice of NOTHINGNESS to ONENESS WITH THE WORLD!

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Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 131

Today I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanics tools, or anything car related, ask it up.If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com. Be sure to put the phrase Question for Charles in...

The post Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 131 appeared first on Humble Mechanic.

How To Improve Mental and Emotional Stability with Simple Writing

Can writing improve mental and emotional stability? Does it help people to deal with traumatic situations? The answer to both of these questions is a resounding yes. Writing absolutely has mental health benefits. In fact, there are many therapists and counselors who include writing therapy as part of their treatment regimen for people who are dealing with stress, trauma, anxiety, major life change, addiction, and other difficulties. On a personal level, you may have used writing as therapeutic tool yourself. If you've ever used a journal to pour your heart out or vent your frustrations, you have used writing as a tool to cope with those frustrations. Likewise, if you've ever written a letter or sent an email letting somebody know how you really feel about a situation, positive or negative, and then felt better, you know the benefits of writing as a mental and emotional release.

Have you ever wondered how or why that works? When you write, how does that influence your brain and thought processes? Why are certain people more compelled to write on a regular basis? Are there groups of people who would benefit from writing therapy more than others? How does somebody get started with a journal or diary? Keep reading!

How And Why Does Writing For Mental Health Work?

Patients undergoing writing therapy are asked to write about their lives as part of a therapeutic process. People undergoing writing therapy may write about specific experiences, memories, their emotions, and their goals. People who see counselors or therapists that use writing therapy may be asked to keep a journal of their emotions, write letters, create fictional stories based on their feelings, or even write poetry. Writing as therapy isn't something that is simply faddish. These techniques are more than 50 years old.

From a physical standpoint, many scientists believe that writing therapy works, because the release that is felt by patients relieve stress. It can also positively impact blood pressure. When stress is reduced, or it is relieved altogether, the person who is using writing to improve their mental and emotional health has more reserves to create strategies to make any life changes that they need to make for themselves. This is a very common phenomenon for anybody who is in crisis, whether that crisis is financial, physical, or emotional. They are too mentally emotionally taxed to find ways to fix their situation.

Why Are Certain Populations More Drawn to Writing as a Form of Therapy or Self Help?

Teenagers, prisoners, the mentally ill, people with chronic illnesses, and crime victims, among others all have the tendency to use writing to express themselves and sort out their feelings. This is true whether or not writing is part of a formal therapy plan or simply something that is taken on by the individual under their own accord. There is a lot of truth behind the stereotype of the teenager venting in his or her diary or writing love letters to a lost loved one. Of course, this is just one example, lots of at risk populations use writing as a way to communicate, cope, and process what is happening to them.

Writing Therapy And at Risk Youth And Others

Many teenagers enjoy using writing to express themselves and to work through their emotions. This is why creative writing is often a popular class among high school and college students. The act of writing provides emotional release and gives young people a healthy option for working through traumatic experiences, negative emotions, and common adolescent crises. However, as beneficial as writing can be to the average adolescent, it can be even more beneficial to at risk youth.

At risk youth are children and teenagers who are at risk for any one or more of the following:

• Dropping out of school


• Becoming involved in the criminal justice system


• Using drugs or alcohol


• Running away from home or becoming homeless


• Struggling with mental health issues


• Being victims of abuse or exploitation

Of course, before they are identified as needing services, many youth have already been directly impacted by at least one of these risk factors.

Many organizations that are dedicated to helping at risk youth use writing as one of many treatment protocols. Youths may be asked to write poetry, short stories, and even their own autobiographies. They may also be encouraged to keep journals. Even storytelling can be a part of an effective writing therapy program. There have even been programs where at risk youth write plays about their experiences that are acted out by themselves and their peers.

Writing therapy for at risk youth has a place in juvenile detention facilities, mental hospitals, schools that are located in troubled areas, group homes, and camps or other private facilities that have been created specifically to help troubled youth. These programs are also well-suited for boys and girls clubs and community centers, especially ones that are located in areas where the average youth is at higher risk of social, emotional, educational, or legal problems.

The benefits that at risk children receive through writing include the following:

• Improved literacy


• Increased coping schools


• Improved emotional and mental maturity


• A greater understanding of self


• Greater empathy


• Improved self esteem


• Learning to use writing to replace unhealthy or antisocial coping strategies

Similar writing therapy programs have also been used in prisons and in other institutions to help adults who struggle with mental disorders, antisocial behaviors, and a criminal history. Just as writing helps teenagers, these adults are able to process past trauma, modify behavior patterns, and learn more about themselves by writing about their experiences. Some, are even able to improve their ability to feel empathy and relate to others.

Clearly, writing is an activity that has major mental health benefits. This applies to people who are undergoing life changes, simply struggling to grow up, or who are truly at risk. People who are struggling emotionally should be encouraged to use writing as a healthy means of expression and self discovery.

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I'm a writer, formerly an athlete in past and that has influenced on my outlook greatly. I'm an extremely active person and pet lover. I give great writing advice over at GhostProfessors.

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15 Simple Brain Hacks to Learn a New Language Fast

Have you ever given up on learning a new language?

Maybe you studied Spanish at school, and as much as you wanted to become fluent you just couldn't find the time to practice. Or maybe you just felt like you were never making real progress.

So that time you went to Mexico, you spent the trip awkwardly stumbling through a menu or pointing vaguely and stuttering "b-bano" whenever nature called.

But it's not your fault, the way we are taught - particularly at school - is usually pretty ineffective. Fortunately, this doesn't have to be your experience with foreign languages.

There are some simple tips and tricks to hack your brain into learning a language faster than you ever thought possible.

So let's cut to the chase. We need to admit the real problem here.

The problem up until this point is that your mind hasn't recognized language learning as a priority. That's why it has been so difficult to stick with it.

The main thing you need to do to learn a language fast, is to trick your brain into believing that the new language is important.

This is why immersion works so well, because when you have no option but to speak another language your brain literally sees learning that language as a survival mechanism. And suddenly you'll absorb everything a lot more easily.

So how do we do this at home?

To trick our brain into thinking that information is important we need to use certain cognitive tricks.

Here are a few situations in which the brain better learns information:

• If the information is absorbed with multiple senses: visual (images), auditory (sounds), kinaesthetic (feelings)


• If we perceive it to be immediately useful. First to our survival, then our basic needs, and then our wider experience


• If we have already invested (e.g. time or energy) in acquiring it


• If we are experiencing positive emotions (passion or motivation) at the time of learning


• If the information is bizarre or unusual


• If the information needs to be recalled frequently


• If we have worked harder to fill in gaps and create patterns or links

Below I've compiled a list of 15 ways in which you can hack your brain using the above 7 principles.

1. Learn sounds before words. Always learn the sounds of the alphabet properly before you start trying to memorize vocabulary, that way you can practice reading words you haven't heard out loud yet.


2. Learn the cognates. Cognates are words similar to those in your language - they are the easiest words to learn - there are 1000+ English-Spanish cognates, and you could learn a few hundred in a weekend.


3. Set measurable goals. There's an old saying that goes 'what gets tracked get achieved' and this is true with language learning. You need to measure your progress in order to not get stuck.


4. Don't 'study'. Rote learning and memorization is slow and pointless. Listen and read. Speak and write. That's it.


5. Don't do boring things. Only learn with topics that you're interested in. For example if you like sports, you can read the weekends results in your target language.


6. Remind yourself 'why'. Before trying to learn anything, always take a second to mentally remind yourself why you are doing so - your mind needs to be conscious of the value of the exercise.


7. Use your Kindle or iPad. Both Kindle and iPad have built in foreign language dictionaries and the option for vocabulary builders.


8. Learn Esperanto first. Esperanto was created to be an international language, but it never took off. However, if English is your first language, Esperanto is the easiest language to learn and acts as a bridge to help you learn dozens of others.


9. Start with the high frequency words. Try and find a list of the 500 most common words in your target language and learn these first.


10. Don't translate (often). Staying away from translating everything you don't know will make your brain work harder and see more long term value in investing energy in the language. You should also turn off the subtitles when watching movies, even if you don't understand much at first.


11. Connect new words to weird and personal images. For example with the Spanish word for cat 'gato' pronounced gah-toe. You can imagine your cat scratching your feet while you scream 'Gah my toe.' Strange, yep, but also memorable.


12. Use a memory palace. This is a technique used by world memory champions that builds mental 'palaces' and places images in different memorized locations in your mind.


13. Recall, don't review. Reviewing things over and over is not good for long term memory - that's why we forget the tests that we crammed for. Telling your brain to retrieve information periodically lets it know that the information is important.


14. Use intervals with flash cards. One month is the ideal amount of time to convert information to long term memory. Have a reminder to go back over all the lessons you have one month out from now, for a minimum of three months.


15. Get feedback. If you don't have a way to get feedback where you live, you can get a digital pen pal with a site such as italki. Or you can upload a Youtube Video and ask for feedback (if you're really brave).

It's time you learned that language you've been putting off. Remember the most important thing is to relax and have fun because that's when your brain really opens up to learning.

Have you had any success with these techniques? How have you learned languages? Let us know in the comments.

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Attention Pick The Brain Readers!

Thank you for reading this post, I hope you enjoyed it!

To show my appreciation I just want to offer you my FREE eBook guide:

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If you want an easy way to get more out of your mornings and start the day off right, this is exactly what you need.

Click here to get your copy now.

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The Power of Habit: 3 Steps to Starting (or Stopping) Habits of Any Kind

When you woke up this morning, what did you do first?

Did you hop in the shower, check your email or grab a doughnut from the kitchen counter?

Did you brush your teeth before or after you toweled off?

Which route did you drive to work?

When you got home, did you put on your sneakers and go for a run, or pour yourself a drink and eat dinner in front of the TV?

In 1892, the famous psychologist, William James wrote, "All our life, so far as it has definite form, is but a mass of habits," -- I absolutely love that because it's absolutely true: most of the choices we make each day may feel like the products of well-considered decision making, but they're not. They're habits.

And though each habit means relatively little on its own, over time, the meals we order, whether we save or spend, how often we exercise, and the way we organize our thoughts and work routines have enormous impacts on our health, productivity, financial security and happiness. One paper published by a Duke University researcher in 2006 found that more than 40 percent of the actions people performed each day weren't actual decisions, but habits[1].

Habits, by definition, are choices that we all make deliberately at some point--and then stop thinking about but continue doing, often every day. At one point, we all consciously decided how much to eat and what to focus on when we got to the office, how often to have a drink or when to go for a jog. But then we stopped making a choice, and the behavior became automatic. It's a natural consequence of our neurology. And by understanding how it happens, you can rebuild those patterns in whichever way you choose.

Here's what you'll discover in this article:

• How habits emerge


• What every habit has in common--regardless of whether it's a "good" habit or a "bad" one


• And a simple, 3-step process to creating good habits that stick, or breaking bad habits that stink

---

Let's start by talking about how habits emerge

Prefer audio? Listen to the podcast version on iTunes here

"Habits, scientists say, emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort. Left to its own devices, the brain will try to make almost any routine into a habit, because habits allow our minds to ramp down more often. This effort-saving instinct is a huge advantage. An efficient brain also allows us to stop thinking constantly about basic behaviors, such as walking and choosing what to eat, so we can devote mental energy to inventing spears, irrigation systems, and, eventually, airplanes and video games."

In "The Power of Habit" Duhigg describes a series of experiments run by researchers at MIT on the science of habit formation.

The researchers were running these experiments on groups of rats--dropping them into mazes and making them sniff around for a piece of chocolate placed at the end.

They wanted to monitor brain activity in the rats as they moved about the maze, so they inserted super-tiny micro-sensors in their brains. This, helped the researchers determine which parts of the brain would light up when the rats were running through the maze--which would help them understand how the brain forms habits.

So, they begin the experiment...

And at first, it seemed like the rats weren't really doing anything interesting at all. They'd start at the beginning of the maze, sniff around, scratch the walls a bit, and randomly pause every now and then before moving through the maze again.

But then the researchers noticed something big: each time the rats moved from one end of the maze to the other; they sniffed around a little less, scratched the walls a little less, and paused a little less--thus, moving through the maze faster and faster with each run.

After running the rats through the maze several times, they learned that the mental activity decreased in the rats with each successful navigation through the maze. As the route become more and more automatic, the rats were actually thinking less about how to get through the maze... No more sniffing, scratching, and pausing necessary. Now, they could speed from start to finish hardly without thinking at all.

The researchers found, that this automaticity in the rats relied on a part of the brain called the basal ganglia, which took over as the rat ran faster and faster and its brain worked less and less.

The basal ganglia was central to recalling patterns and acting on them. In other words, its responsible for storing habits even while the rest of the brain falls asleep.

And your brain works the same way.

This process is called "chunking," and it plays a primary role in how habits form. With "chunking," the brain converts a sequence of actions--like brushing your teeth, tying your shoes, or backing your car into the garage--into an automatic routine.

Bottom line? Habits emerge because our brains are always on the lookout for efficient ways to save effort.

So, how do we form habits, then?

The power of habit loops: 3 steps to starting (or stopping) habits of any kind.

Prefer audio? Listen to the podcast version on iTunes here

"This process within our brains is a three-step loop. First, there is a cue, a trigger that tells your brain to go into automatic mode and which habit to use. Then there is the routine, which can be physical or mental or emotional. Finally, there is a reward, which helps your brain figure out if this particular loop is worth remembering for the future."

If you want to create new habits of any kind, keep the following formula in mind:

CUE + ROUTINE + REWARD = HABIT

New habits depend on this three-step loop:

1. The cue--a trigger for your brain that tells it which habit to use.

2. The routine--how a habit influences what you do, think, or feel.

3. The reward--which helps us determine how valuable the habit is, and whether it's worth remembering or not.

Now let's talk about how you can use this habit loop to develop better habits within your own life...

The keys to creating better habits in your own life: find a cue + define the rewards.

Prefer audio? Listen to the podcast version on iTunes here

"If you want to start running each morning, it's essential that you choose a simple cue (like always lacing up your sneakers before breakfast or leaving your running clothes next to your bed) and a clear reward (such as a midday treat, a sense of accomplishment from recording your miles, or the endorphin rush you get from a jog). But countless studies have shown that a cue and a reward, on their own, aren't enough for a new habit to last. Only when your brain starts expecting the reward--craving the endorphins or sense of accomplishment--will it become automatic to lace up your jogging shoes each morning. The cue, in addition to triggering a routine, must also trigger a craving for the reward to come."

The key to creating habits is based on a simple formula any one of us can adopt. Let's say you want to create the habit of working out first thing in the morning:

• You begin by choosing a CUE, like keeping your gym shoes by the door.


• This cue should trigger the ROUTINE you want to develop--in this case, exercising early in the morning.


• Next, you choose a clear REWARD, like a smoothie after each workout.


• Finally, you allow yourself to crave/anticipate that reward, by thinking about the smoothie you'll get to enjoy once you're done crushing it in the gym.

The simple addition of a craving could be what makes the difference between whether you get up and hit the gym, or hit snooze and bury yourself back under the sheets.

Cravings drive habits. The reason behind why habits are so powerful is because they actually create neurological cravings. And figuring out what sparks your cravings is what can make creating a habit easier for you.

Actionable insight:

• Think of a habit you want to create, and write it down.


• Next, think of your cue. Write it down.


• Now, think of your reward. Write it down.


• Finally, remember to make sure the reward is something you'll be able to crave or anticipate as you create this new habit.

---

FOOTNOTES:

• The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

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1. Neal, David T., Wendy Wood, and Jeffrey M. Quinn. "Habits--A repeat performance." Current Directions in Psychological Science 15.4 (2006): 198-202. ?

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How VW Parts Fail ~ 2.0t BPY Thermostat

Hey everyone, today we are back to talk about more failing VW parts. The failing VW part was are looking at today is the thermostat on 2.0t FSI engine. This is the engine code BPY found in 2006-2008 Volkswagens. This is a failure that can cause a number of issues from overheating to a check engine...

The post How VW Parts Fail ~ 2.0t BPY Thermostat appeared first on Humble Mechanic.

Want To Make Life Easier? Try These 5 Strange But Simple Productivity Tips

Most of us would like to make our lives a little easier. And one of the best ways to do this is improve our productivity and free up some time.

We know that if we could just find a few little habits to help us get on the right track, we'd be able to push through the day smoothly and efficiently. We'd get more done in less time, and have extra time at the end of the day to relax and wind down.

We know because we've all done it before.

And in my quest to find the productivity hacks that actually make a difference, I've come across a few straight forward tips that had a real noticeable impact on my performance.

Here are 5 strange but simple productivity tips that when put into place, will make a clear difference to my productivity:

1. 
   

   Write down EVERYTHING you do for one week.

   
   

What gets tracked gets improved.

It's very simple to just keep a journal on you at all times, taking note of each thing you do and the time you spent doing it.

In just a week you'd see exactly where you've been wasting time, and you'll be far more aware of its time-sucking nature in the future. You might find out that you spend 4 hours a day on Facebook or 2 hours checking emails - and you'll be better able to allocate your time.

If you keep the practice of journalling up, you'll also be motivated week by week to improve your performance.

2. 
   

   Put a plant in your workspace

   
   

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests the putting plants in your workplace is good for productivity and wellbeing.

Being locked in an office for hours on end has the unusual benefit of make you appreciate nature more than you otherwise would. By placing plants in your work environment, or even by hanging images of nature around the office, workers report more productivity and more satisfaction than if their view was dominated by buildings or sidewalks. If you don't want to put too much effort into caring for the plant, make sure to ask for something that doesn't need watered often.

3. 
   

   Listen to the right type of music

   
   

I'm sure most of us enjoy music, so adding music to your work is a tip that I think is pretty easy to get on board with. What's important is to make sure however that you are listening to the right type of music.

This study showed that classical is best if your work requires attention to detail or numbers, pop music if it you do any type of data entry, ambient sounds if you need to solve equations, and dance music for proof reading and problem solving.

4. 
   

   Set a big, scary, completely unrealistic goal - and then fail

   
   

This actually acts like a warm up for our brain, we switch into creative mode in order to prepare for a new challenge, but without the pressure of having to complete the goal (knowing it's completely unrealistic). When we fail, we can move on into other tasks that seem simple by comparison.

5. 
   

   Don't work so much

   
   

Founder of The Energy Project, Tony Schwartz, has said "manage your energy, not your time" - and in a culture that is overworked, these are really words to live by.

Most of us try to be more productive by cramming more hours into our day, while the reality is that we produce better results if we structure our work around the natural cycles of our body.

One of those cycles is called the ultradian rhythm. During this period we have 90 minutes where we progress from higher to lower alertness. What this means is that at the end of the 90 minutes you must take a break in order to get back to a higher level of alertness again.

Think about it this way, you don't want to run a marathon at work, you want to do short sprints with intervals. Make sure the break is a complete break from work related thought, or you'll start the next phase without the benefits of having rested your mind.

Simple changes in your productivity can help make your life a whole lot easier. Try experimenting with these 5 strategies today and see what a difference they can make to your work.

Have any experience with these tips? Did we leave any out? Let us know in the comments!

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Attention Pick The Brain Readers!

Thank you for reading this post, I hope you enjoyed it!

If you're interested in becoming a more productive person, you'll surely want to get your mornings off to a great start. So head over and grab our FREE eBook guide:

Morning Mastery: the simple 20 minute routine for long-lasting energy, laser-sharp focus, and stress free living

If you want an easy way to get more out of your mornings and start the day off right, this is exactly what you need.

Click here to get your copy now.

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7 Ways Keeping a Diary Can Boost Your Productivity

Note: This post is written by Laura Jonson

Keeping a diary isn't just for expressing teenage angst - it can prove to be a useful tool for people of any age. And one of the best uses of a diary is as a way of boosting your productivity. Putting your thoughts and ideas down on paper - or on screen if you prefer a virtual version - is a brilliant way of focusing your thoughts and establishing what steps you need to take.

How does it work? Here are seven ways keeping a diary can boost your productivity.

1. It serves as a reminder.

Noting down tasks and things you have to do allows you to keep track; otherwise it's all too easy to get distracted and forget about the tasks you need to deal with. When it's there in your diary in black and white, you can easily see what needs to be done.

If you've always thought that making lists is silly, try it - you'll be surprised how it helps you to focus and work through your 'to do' list methodically.

2. It awakens your creativity.

If you need to use your creative side, keeping a journal is invaluable. You can use it to note down anything that comes into your head; even the smallest comment or observation can be used later on. It's amazing what ideas can be sparked off later on by something you've noted in your diary.

3. It teaches you self-discipline.

If you find it difficult to get on with things you need to do, or make your mind focus, try making regular entries in your diary. This helps to train your mind in being self-disciplined. Sit down and write in your diary at the same time every day, or set yourself the task of writing a certain number of pages each day.

Whatever you choose, the important thing is that you get into the habit of writing in your diary - this will help you apply the same self-discipline to other matters.

4. It allows you to find solutions.

If you're stuck with something and just can't see the answer, try writing your thoughts in your diary. The solution may be there in your subconscious, and you just need to access it. Noting down possibilities may help you work out what you need to do.

You can also rule out what won't work, or what you don't want to do; although this may not seem very productive, it will actually help you narrow down the possibilities.

5. It lets you identify what is important to you.

You might think you know yourself pretty well, and what is important to you. But people change, and you may not realize that you've moved on.

Keeping a diary can allow you to acknowledge changes in your perspective and therefore move on to a new phase in your life. It can also help you identify what path you would like to go down, for example what career change you could make if you want a different job.

6. It shows what's on your mind.

Writing in a diary can help you express what's on your mind; maybe even things that you weren't aware of. Problems and worries can often hold us back and prevent us from achieving what we want to achieve and what we are capable of. But when we write down our thoughts and examine what we've written, it can make our worries seem less important or make us resolve to do something about them, rather than just fretting about them.

7. It frees up mental energy.

How much time do you give to thinking about things that don't really matter, or that you should let go of and stop worrying about? Keeping a diary can really free up a lot of mental energy that you're wasting on irrelevant or unimportant things, and devote that energy to more productive things that will lead you somewhere.

Laura is a creative regular writer for the assignmentmasters.co.uk writing team. She is also a prolific blogger and is well known in the online community for her passion for writing and English literature. She also has a growing social media presence.

Photo by Christopher Michel

How Do You Spell Success? 9 Reasons Why it Should be Spelled Yoga

Lots of students who join their high school football teams may be a little surprised when they learn that part of practice is going to be Yoga. What? To them, Yoga is something those weird men who wear robes over in the Far East do, not big, tough football players. Their coach knows something they don't. He knows that the mental and physical training that Yoga gives will make these kids more successful on the field and, later on, in their adult lives. Putting aside the physical stuff, like flexibility and weight control, here are 9 reasons why Yoga promotes success.

People Who Practice Yoga Regularly are More Positive

We all have these hormones in our brains called endorphins. They are often called the "feel good" hormones, because when they are released in pretty good quantities, they give us feelings of contentment, happiness, and also reduce pain. Research at the University of Maryland Medical Center has determined that Yoga, particularly the stretching and the breathing, causes the release of these great little hormones. And regular Yoga practice can keep them flowing on a regular basis. What this means for "Yoglers" (Gopi Kallayil, head of brand marketing at Google coined this term), is that they are more optimistic about everything in their personal and work lives. Others like being around positive people, so they tend to have more friends and move up in their careers faster than others.

"Yoglers" are More Focused

This is one of the reasons that coach has included Yoga in daily football practice. The breathing, the poses, and the meditation aspects of this activity require focus. Because our brains are constantly changing based upon what we feed them (neuroscience calls this neuroplasticity), practicing focus trains our brains to do this in other situations. Of course, the coach is interested in his players being able to remember and to focus on the plays, but these abilities become established brain activity for the long haul. So, when things must get done in the workplace, "Yoglers" get them done faster and better.

Regular Yoga Practice Means Better Responses to Stress

Our nervous system is divided into three separate parts - the peripheral, the somatic and the parasympathetic. Each one is activated by different human activity. When people practice Yoga, they activate the parasympathetic system which is the one that brings about relaxation, lowers blood pressure, etc. When stressful situations arise, and everyone else is in a panic, the "Yogler" resorts to deep breathing and meditation and activates that "rest and digest" system. This ability to get into a state of calm means that s/he can usually be objective, look at options, and devise a solution to the situation that has caused such stress in others. (They also sleep better at night, and that affects productivity during the day).

Yoglers are Healthier than their Non-Practicing Counterparts

The same University of Maryland study that was mentioned earlier also found that people who practice Yoga have a lower incidence of contracting illnesses. The researchers concluded that the immune systems of the Yoga exercisers were better. Some of this may be a result of the breathing and meditative aspects, because immune systems are built up by rest. On the job, Yoglers have lower absence rates due to illness than non-Yoga practicing peers. When a cold or the flu is rampaging around the office, the Yogler tends not to succumb.

Yoglers have More Energy

It's all about those endorphins again. By keeping their levels higher, the Yogler just has more energy than others. It's also happens due to ability of Yoga help you manage your time better. Yoga improves your creativity as well. The physical fitness figures into this a well. People who exercise, all research shows, have more energy overall than those who do not.

More Self-Confidence is a Great By-Product

People who practice Yoga regularly have a better looking body and better posture. This gives them self-confidence. They walk straighter and taller with an energetic step. Others perceive them as confident too. These physical benefits all contribute to feeling more able to "take on the world," and they are in control of themselves and the situations in which they exist.

Greater Self-Awareness = Comfortable Realism

Because Yoga involves such focus on oneself as the exercises, breathing and meditation occur, the practitioner develops a much better sense of self. S/he can identify feelings, strengths, and weaknesses, and behaves with these things in mind. The stressed, always-in-a-hurry person will take on challenges s/he cannot meet and will often act impulsively. Not so the Yogler.

Yoglers are Present in the Now

While others are n a constant state of ruminating about the past or worrying about the future, the Yogler is living in the "now." The meeting that is happening right now at work? Others are zoning out, thinking about other events and circumstances. The Yogler is focused, attentive, and operating within the current activity. Many major corporations have recognized the importance of this "mindfulness," and the fact that Yoga fosters it. As a result, they have incorporated Yoga into any fitness program that they offer to their employees. Aetna Insurance, Proctor & Gamble, Nike, Target, and Google are just a few. These corporations know that Yoga has big benefits in the workplace. It promotes proactive rather than reactive behaviors, focus on the problems or tasks at hand right now, and a release of the past and the uncertainty of the future. Yoglers are good problem-solvers.

Patience - It Really is a Virtue

The wonderful thing about Yoga? Because it is an entire program built around patience, that behavior transfers into real world experiences. Thus the practitioner develops patience with his/her children, with co-workers, and with the seeking of solutions at work. The Yogler will not be impulsive, but instead will have the willingness to wait while all options are evaluated and considered.

A Way of Life

Yoga is a way of life. Its practice fosters health, focus, self-awareness, living in the now, productivity, and a total control of oneself. This is the prescription for success in life, and it is finally being recognized as an important fitness program. Guess those weird guys in those robes have been on to something all along.

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Ethan Dunwill is young entrepreneur from Hong Kong, his main goal in life is to inspire and motivate others, so people can make themselves a little happier. Connect with Ethan at Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or visit his blog at Medium.

The post How Do You Spell Success? 9 Reasons Why it Should be Spelled Yoga appeared first on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement.

Making And Modifying Custom Tools

At some point every mechanic, will need a custom tool. Whether you are a master technician or an automotive DIYer the perfect tool does not always exist. So we have to either make a tool, or modify an existing tool to fix our car repair needs. Maybe the tool we need is just too expensive....

The post Making And Modifying Custom Tools appeared first on Humble Mechanic.

7 Reasons To Feed Your Curiosity

Curiosity is an admirable trait I encourage everyone to cultivate within one's self. Curiosity is the ability to wonder and ask questions, and then have the courage and willingness to seek out the answers and experiences to satiate that wonder.

Perhaps you are a very curious person, but you've grown up in a society that looks down on everything unconventional and so you've hidden your curiosity or have convinced yourself that it is no longer appropriate for you to be curious anymore. Most adults assume they "know everything"; they limit their own growth by snuffing out the light of their curiosity. Such a shame! They do so because their age (society's conventions) dictates what behavior is appropriate. If you're an adult, you're supposed to "have it all figured out". Being curious is the humility, willingness and openness to say, "Yes, I don't know, but I would like to."

Curiosity is good for your spirit. And I'm going to elaborate on why.

1) You become more intelligent.

I've made it a habit where if I don't understand something and I'm in the vicinity of someone who might know, I always ask. Before, I equated asking with being stupid. A harsh belief, but it's more commonly adopted than you think! People just don't like admitting it. If you don't ask, you will never know! Those who are afraid of asking questions are ashamed of acquiring knowledge.

More often than not, the people around you, (let's say you were with a friend), didn't know either. They were probably secretly wondering to themselves what "that thing" meant or how it worked, but were too afraid to speak up for themselves. And if they do know, they can tell you!

It's not a big deal. Life is about learning. Learning is life. Ask away!

2) You have new experiences.

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like if you went for a walk without shoes? Or what your artistic skills were like if you sat outside for a bit and painted a scene of the passing clouds? Or if you talked to a certain person? Or if you took a different route home? Or if you went into that store that has always tantalized you? Or if you ordered something different? Or if you tried a new exercise? Or if you read about a new philosophy? Or if you hung out with different people you usually hang out with? Or if you lived in another part of the world for a few months? What would life be like?

Only one way to find out! Go do it!

3) You find your way in this life.

To ask questions, you must first become aware of life. You must become aware of your surroundings. What's going on? What's right and what isn't? Why does it have to be this way? Are there any other ways? What is truth? Why are we alive? What is the point? Is there a point?

Once you start to become aware of life, the questions naturally flow. Once you start asking questions--TRULY START TO ASK QUESTIONS--then your journey has begun. You are now (consciously) on your way.

SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND.

"Truth cannot be borrowed. It cannot be studied in books. Nobody can inform you about it. You have to sharpen your intelligence for yourself, so that you can look into existence and find it." -- OSHO

4) You destroy ignorance.

"Ignorance is bliss."

Ignorance is spiritual death! Ignorance is like covering your experience of life in a blanket of lies. Although it is warm and comforting, it is a prison. You cannot grow. You cannot see. You cannot experience LIFE in all its magnificent glory. You remain trapped in your ignorant comfort; in your false knowledge, in your conditioning.

Ignorance must be overcome and we do so by having the courage to be curious.

5) You grow.

"Evolution is intrinsic to man's nature, evolution is his very soul. And those who take themselves for granted remain unfulfilled; those who think they are born complete remain unevolved. Then the seed remains the seed, never becomes a tree, and never knows the joys of spring and the sunshine and the rain, and the ecstasy of bursting into millions of flowers." -- OSHO

6) You stand out.

Everyone subscribes to a code in this life; or what we most commonly refer to as the "norm" of society. Curiosity allows you to question the norm and whether it is sane or not, right for you or not, right for the world or not. And if it's not, if you have the courage, you destroy that norm within you so that you can live your own truth.

Just because it's "normal" (whatever that means), and everyone does it, doesn't mean it's right. Think for yourself. Decide for yourself. Live for yourself. Be hungry and curious for more.

7) You help change the world.

I learned the hard way that you cannot change the world by fighting against it. You can only change the world by changing yourself. Joseph Campbell once said that "if you really want to help this world, what you will have to teach is how to live in it".

This is true. Oprah once said, "you transform the world when you transform yourself." It's the same universal concept that many successful and enlightened people have realized. And now, so have you.

How exactly do we change the world by being curious? By being courageous enough to let go of the "old" and have the willingness to bring the "new" into this world by embracing it, being it. We abolish old mentalities, beliefs, philosophies, ways of life, systems, by LIVING new mentalities, beliefs, philosophies, lifestyles, paradigms. And we can only do so by taking the first step to wonder. It transition automatically shifts but it is a slow process. Which is why we must all, individually have the courage to light the way if we are to make this world a better place.

It's only by leading by example do people truly listen. We are able to know the path to a brighter future by "standing on the shoulders of our forefathers" who had the courage to light the way.

Curiosity is asking, What if? It's wondering if there's another way. It's envisioning another way. And then making our way to that new vision.

There are many benefits to being curious. The most beneficial, in my opinion, is number three. You find your way in this life. Life can be like a kind of maze. Some people give up on themselves and stop searching for the red thread that leads to everything they could ever conceive of; they sit, stagnant in their sorrow. Then there are the others who continue to ask questions. What if I went this way? What if I did this instead? And it's usually those same people who we think insane. "He's going to go exploring and then he's going to die. It's much safer to stay right here."

Then he goes off, experiences the world in all its glory, comes across all kinds of beautiful and magnificent treasures no one would believe if he told them, all because he asked, What if?

Christopher Tan is a writer at his blog The Art Of Life where he explores the human condition and what it means to live and live well. He also makes films on YouTube. Connect with him on Twitter.

The post 7 Reasons To Feed Your Curiosity appeared first on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement.

Lessons from Elon Musk: 4 Proven Traits of Successful People

I love reading biographies. I believe it's a good way to learn about life. The biography that I read recently is Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance. It's a well-written book about an interesting man.

Elon Musk runs two innovative companies: SpaceX (a space company that sends satellites to orbit) and Tesla (a car company that produces electric cars). He is also the chairman of SolarCity (a solar-cell company). If you have watched the movie Iron Man, you might be familiar with the character Tony Stark. Well, Musk is probably the closest real-life person to Tony Stark. In fact, Robert Downey Jr. once met him for inspiration for his role in the first Iron Man movie.

To be clear, there are many things not to learn from Musk. For instance, I don't think he lives a balanced life. That's a big downside. But we all have an upside and downside, so here I will just focus on the upside--on the things that we can learn from him.

Here are four proven traits of successful people that I learned from Elon Musk:

1. Curiosity

As a child, Musk read a lot. In fact, when he was in the third or fourth grade, he run out of books to read from the library! As a result, he began reading the Encyclopedia Britannica. Yes, he actually read those multi-volume encyclopedias!

As an adult, after he became a millionaire, he revisited his childhood dreams of rockets and space. He wanted to start a space company, so he decided to learn all he could about rockets. At a company party, he even brought and read a Soviet rocket manual.

That might be a bit extreme, but these stories show a quality that Musk has: curiosity.

Curiosity seems to be a common characteristic of successful people. These people want to explore the world to the fullest, so they aren't satisfied with what they find around them. Their curiosity opens many doors of opportunities for them.

2. Determination

Another quality that Musk has is determination. At his first start-up, they built a primitive version of Google Maps for businesses. It was 1995 and the Internet was still new to the public then, so it was difficult for them to sell the benefits of their product to companies. They had to sell their product door to door, and for a long time they couldn't get a single sale.

Many people would have given up in such a situation, but not Musk and his colleagues. They kept at it because they believed in the idea. They didn't just keep at it though--they listened to feedback and kept improving their product.

Eventually they got their first sale and the ball started rolling. Four years later, the company was sold for $350 million dollars!

Paul Graham said in an essay that the most important characteristic for a successful startup founder is determination. I believe this applies to other fields as well.

To have determination, you must first believe in your idea. You must have a strong why.

3. Intensity

Another trait that Musk has is intensity. When he does something, he is intense. He once stayed working for forty-eight hours straight to get a job done.

Be careful though: you still need to keep your life balanced. I don't believe in blind intensity. Be intense, but stay balanced.

4. Boldness

This could be the differentiating trait that Musk has compared to other entrepreneurs. Many others have the three traits above, but only a few have this one.

Musk dares to dream big and he is serious about it. He finds a way to make the seemingly impossible happen. That's how he ended up with a space company and an electric car company.

His dream is nothing less than making a human colony on Mars. This may sound like science fiction for most people, but for Musk this is a real goal. He has rallied all his effort around this vision.

It's not easy to dream big, but that's what you should do. Dream big, and make it happen.

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For a collection of my best motivational writings, check out Motivation Booster.

3 Mind Tricks Impeding Your Improvement

Note: This post is written by Jeremy Sutton

What wonderful brains we have. It's incredible how they construct for us a whole world of experience and perception.

But brains are a double-edged sword, a gift and a curse.

Because even though they are the most powerful tools we'll ever have, they also have some built-in traps that can impede our own development.

Here are three mind tricks that impede our improvement.

1. Emotional Hijacking

The brain uses emotions to help keep us alive and working well. They can be super helpful too. If we put something poisonous in our mouths, we get whiff and an instant urge of disgust hits us. We know to spit it out right away.

And all the other emotions serve good purposes too when used at their best.

But these powerful instincts and urges can also lead us astray. One powerful case is called emotional hijacking.

This happens any time we have a strong emotional reaction to something. Our emotions hit so hard that it drowns out our rational thinking. The result is we can make a quick decision that's based on short-term desires rather than our long-term interests.

And speaking of short-term interests...

2. Instant Gratification Bias

What sounds more appealing:

1) $100 right now

Or

2) $200 in 2 year's time?

Now this may seem obvious as you read it here on Life Optimizer. But what if I had that $100 right in front of you. You could simply take it, run away, spend it on anything you wanted...

Humans have an innate urge to satisfy their desires now. Think about it:

Exercise is tough...

Doughnuts are delicious...

Planning takes work...

And TV and Facebook are just one click away...

Everyday we're tempted into doing countless things that feel good right now, but what is the real cost?

When we choose instant gratification over delayed gratification, we're throwing away potentially 2, 3, 5, or even 10x the value of what we could get for our time and energy.

It's like choosing $100 now instead of $200 dollars down the road, or worse.

And it's easy to see that if our future selves could talk to our present selves, they would beg us, "Please don't fall for the trap of instant gratification!"

3. Confirmation Bias

We love to be right. It's fun, it's awesome, and it makes us feel good.

And we hate to be wrong. It's natural. Never have I met someone who could look me in the eye and say honestly, "I just love it when people point out how I'm wrong, especially in public."

So when we go out searching for information, we tend to do so in a way that is systematically biased.

That is, we engage in Rationalization instead of Reasoning.

Rationalization is where we start with a conclusion and then look for the reasons to support it. And it goes back to emotional hijacking.

We start with a conclusion because we like the answer; it feels good.

Quick:

What is the best country in the world?

What is the best car?

Apple or PC?

What's the best sports team?

With all of these questions, we usually get a gut feeling reaction. There is one that we connect with emotionally. Then, if we had to answer these questions formally we would probably go out searching for information that proves we are right.

Example: Google Search: "Why is (this country) the best?"

Reasoning, by contrast starts with facts and data and then moves towards a conclusion. This is a more objective way to come to a legitimate answer.

So whenever you feel emotionally connected to a possible answer, try this:

Look for reasons that go against your position first. Then look for supporting reasons. Then finally come to a conclusion.

Getting Out of Our Own Way

These three tricks of the mind are part of us, but they are not our friends. In fact, they systematically lead us to make bad decisions -> decisions that we wouldn't want to make for ourselves if we really thought about it.

People who learn to recognize and avoid these traps will take their performance, lives, and productivity to new heights.

So keep a sharp eye out there and remember...

No one can trick you better than your own brain.

Jeremy Sutton is a professional consultant, coach, and writer at PrecisionPrinciple.com. He helps people create massive value by leveraging their innate strengths and interests. He does this by utilizing time-tested tools of self-management and psychology. He's best known for helping people achieve powerful breakthroughs both professionally and personally.

50 Motivational Quotes To Empower Your Life

I know, it's tough! To stay motivated, to keep going towards our goals. Sometimes, we don't feel like doing it anymore.

Do you know why all this happens? Because we lack motivation, We don't feel motivated enough.

Quotes have and incredible power over us. A single motivational quote can make our day, move us, inspire us and empower us to take action once again.

To lift you once again, I've collected the top 50 Motivational Quotes to Empower Your Life:

Success occurs when your dreams get bigger than your excuses.

Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.

Stop saying I Wish. Start saying I Will.

Your mind has to arrive at a destination before your life does...Change your mind...Change your life...

Every pro was once an amateur.

Don't give up just because things are hard.

If you can't control your emotions. You can't control your money.

We don't grow when things are easy; We grow when we face challenges.

They'll laugh at your dreams. Until you start making money.

I have no time for your negative bullshit.

Be brave. No one remembers a coward.

Average people have great ideas. Legends have great execution.

You need to make $2,740 every single day for 365 days to make just over $1 million in a year.

Look in the mirror. That's your competition.

Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.

The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.

You have to fight through the bad days in order to earn the best days.

When you're giving up. Someone is still going.

They wanna see you do good, but never better than them. Remember that.

I just use my haters as my motivators.

Sometimes you win. Sometimes you learn.

Surround yourself with people that are going to lift you higher.

It's not about money. It's about what you can do for family.

My only talent is that I just don't quit.

Create a way, not an excuse.

Success comes from what you do when no one is watching.

Sometimes you have to risk everything for a dream no one can see but you.

You either make excuses or make progress.

Wake up with determination. Go to bed with satisfaction.

Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up.

They told me I'd never get that far...They were right. I got even further.

Stay dedicated. It's not going to happen overnight.

The greatest dreams are always unrealistic.

Don't wait for the opportunity. Create it.

You can't stop someone who knows where they're going.

Sometimes you wish it was easier, but if it was, everyone else would do it. Then you remember you don't want to be like everyone else.

Work until expensive becomes cheap.

When you're out partying someone else is getting smarter.

Die with memories. Not dreams.

My hobbies include having no time for bullshit.

If your goals don't scare you, they aren't big enough.

Some people under estimate how sexy it is to be ambitious.

If you were absent during my struggle. Don't expect to be present during my success.

At the end. It is you vs you.

Behind every successful man. There's a lot of unsuccessful years.

It always seem impossible until it's done.

Hustle in silence. Let your success make noise.

Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.

Looking for some more motivation? Head over to our Instagram Page for more Motivational Quotes.

Vishnu Verma is on the mission to inspire people to follow their dreams. Follow us on Instagram to get your daily motivational dose.

The post 50 Motivational Quotes To Empower Your Life appeared first on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement.